Author's Note

Just as a heads up, this is a dream chapter. But, I would still advise you read this. Sence it does have an impact on the main story.

The Night Before: Part I

"What do you think you are doing out past curfew!?" Her ears twitched as she heard a strong voice bellow out.

As Void registered the odd phrase, she attempted to roll off the bed. She proceeded to scrape her back on what felt like- How did I get outside!? She thought as her eyes shot open to reveal a dark, moonless sky, where the only light came from odd street lamps that glowed unnaturally in the dim midnight fog. When she finished her roll and got to her hooves, she noted the pain that seemed to emanate from her left side as she quickly remembered that was the side she had lost her wing on. "Ahh!" Why did I have to roll on THAT side!? She shook the dirt from her body but found that there was nothing there except dust. Huh? She looked again at the road. It felt too hard to be dirt or cobblestone, and it looked far too uniform as well. What is this road made-

"Well, I still need an explanation. So, why are you outside?" Asked the same voice. "Or, do I need to take you in for interrogation?"

At this, Void moved quickly to track down the voice. But as she ran, she noticed huge buildings sticking out of the fog. Not huge in terms of height, but of width, and all seemed to be built in the same way. This place is really starting to look like all these buildings were created by a cookie cuter- Stupid Pinkie Pie! And as she continued running, she started running out of breath, so she slowed down and allowed herself to breathe. But the instant she did, she immediately started hacking and coughing as she took in the toxic air. What the heck? Why does the air smell like smoke!? Once she managed to stop, she continued following the voice. But, when she got there, what she saw repulsed her.

A stallion, dressed in a grey overcoat and grey fur hat, stood poised to strike with an oddly shaped spear at another stallion, who was pressed up against the wall. "P-p-please! I-I did not mean t-to break the c-curfew." Stuttered the stallion. As Void looked on in bewilderment, she noted how malnourished he appeared. She also took note of the grey uniform he wore.

"Sorry, that doesn't cut it. You're coming with me!" Yelled the other stallion as he proceeded to stand on his hind-legs and point his weapon threateningly close to the other stallon's throat.

As he did, she realized he wore black boots and grey pants, but she quickly shook off the odd choice in clothing and prepared to charge the armed stallion. "Hey, get away from him!" She yelled as she surged forward, intent on tackling him to the ground and thrusting his own spear into his gut.

And, just as she expected, he started turning to face her. "What the-" But, as he finished his turn and came to look at her, he did something...VERY unexpected. As he looked at her, his smirk (that had presumedly been worn when facing the other stallion) quickly dissipated into a look of sheer terror, and his eyes shrank to the size of pinpricks. And she started to slow down as a look of confusion adorned her. "A-as you command comrade Premier!" He yelled as loudly (albeit not as imposingly) as he had when yelling at the poor stallion before shouldering his very odd spear. (Which appeared to be made of both metal and wood interspersed throughout the main structure.) And raised his right fore-leg over his right eye before dashing away as quickly as he could.

"Okay then..." She said as she started to regain her thoughts from the odd display. She quickly remembered the reason she had come when she once again saw the stallion. Much to her shock, however, the stallion looked even more terrified than before. Huh? Why is he looking this way like that? She checked behind herself, just in case another one of those crooks had snuck up on her, but she beheld nothing. Slowly, she turned her head to face him, and what she saw shocked her more than the crook's reaction to her arrival. He was on the ground now. He appeared as though he had slid down the wall as she was looking away. Tears stained his hollow cheeks, his eyes were red and puffy, and he looked as though he was begging for something.

"P-please, spare me." He crooked laboriously. "I-I am not a counter-r-revolutionary, see?" He then took in a deep breath and proceeded to sing: "United, forever in friendship and labor, our united repu- She then put a hoof over his muzzle. Which caused him to flail his fore-legs around to try and stop her.

"Shh, I'm not going to hurt you." She said, which seemed to calm him down slightly. "And why is everyone- Everypony so frightened of me? I mean, I did just save your life, so the least you could do is give me an answer. Okay?" At this, he nodded vigorously. She then mentally counted to three before she recoiled her hoof.

He coughed as he regained his breath. Before he cocked his head, his eyes now wide and displayed nothing but purest confusion. "What do you mean why? You should know why everypony fears you! After all, isn't it you who signed your signature on this curfew?" He was standing now, his look of confusion turning into one of determination. "Is it not you who forced me to kill my soul working away in a coal mine to feed my family?" He was walking closer now, and so Void started to retreat. "And isn't it YOU who gives the orders to the militia to have street patrols in the night to lock up anypony who dares go against you!? Well!?" He spat as she found herself up against one of the other buildings.

As Void registered what he had said, she realized she was clearly being accused of things she had no recollection of. "I-I never did any of those things!" She yelled back at him. "You are lying! I'm not this Premier. In fact, I'll prove it!" She looked straight at him as her eyes were consumed by wild determination. "I know this sounds cringy. But where does she live?"

He looked flabbergasted by her response. "I-In the main square."

"Alright, miss Premier, you're in for a world of hurt!" And so, she dashed off to find this so-called tyrant that looked strangely like her.

As Void Streak rushed down the foggy, empty streets, all her thoughts could focus on were the words the stallion had said about her. Some nerve, I never even met him before, and rather than thank me for saving his life, he just accuses me of being the source of his problems!? Like, really!? I literally saved his li- Her internal rant came to an end the instant she caught sight of it. It was a massive square, with more housing complexes jutting out from it and with more roads continuing between them, along with the first sight of vegetation, in the form of trees that lined the edges. In the center stood a giant tower-like structure that reached straight up into the sky. It had to have been the tallest building she had ever seen. But what really caught her eye was the statue that stood in front of it.

It was a giant 'stone' statue of a pegasus that stood on its hind legs, with the left fore-leg pointing out and the right held at its side. Well, I guess I found the place, but since no one's around, I think I might as well take a closer look. She carefully walked up to the statue. But, as she got closer, she started to notice various details. For one, it was clearly a mare, this she noticed almost immediately. (Do to the face shape and body structure being smaller and more angular in appearance.) She also realized that it was made wearing a suit and tie, but with odd medals over the left side. (which she did not recognize.) A skirt that covered its cutie mark and a pair of tall boots. (Similiar to the ones she saw that thug wearing. Except these boots had heels on the back, which made her appear taller.) As she stood directly in front of it, however, she noticed something was off. Its wings were not the same. The one on the right looked completely normal. The wing on the left on the other hoof looked like it was- made entirely out of metal. She quickly dashed to the left side to get a better look, and sure enough, it appeared like it was made of small metal pieces shaped to look like feathers. Why would it have a metal wing, unless...It was cut off... She backed up to see the entire statue from the side. But as she did, her eyes grew wide with realization. "T-The statue...I-it looks l-like, m-me!? W-why d-does it l-look like me!?" She screamed out in horror, only to be answered with silence.

That is until she heard the sound of hooves coming from the direction of the tower. Great, more trouble! She brought herself into a defensive stance and pointed herself in the direction of the threat. From the fog emerged a few uniformed stallions. (This time, it was a unicorn and two pegasi.) "Comrade Premier, are you alright?" Asked the unicorn who held another one of those odd spears in his magic. "We heard yelling, so we came to investigate."

"I-I'm f-fine." She stuttered as she came out of her stance. Did these guys just- Ask if I was okay? This just keeps getting better and better.

"And why are you not wearing your coat? It's -15°out here." Said one of the pegasi as they all shouldered their weapons. "You should probably head inside."

"Not to mention the rebels." Replied the other as he gave her a determined stare. "They would love to catch you outside and without an escort."

"U-Um, sure?" Well, I guess this is my way in.

"Alright then, let's get you inside." The unicorn marched up beside her until they were only less than a meter apart, with the other two falling into step behind them. As they marched, he suddenly turned his head to face her. "So, what was the screaming about?" He asked with curiosity in his tone.

"O-oh, that." Come on, you gotta think of something, quick! She thought hard for a few seconds, until- Ah-ha, I got it! "I Just- Wanted to go for a walk, to clear my head." She stated while trying to sound commanding. "I mean, it's not like being a Premier is an easy job." That should do it.

"Yes, I'm sure. I apologize for asking such a foolish question." He responded before turning his head to face the front. But, as he did so, she caught a glimpse of his eyes. And she could just read the emotion that they exuded. After all, it was one she was very familiar with. Fear, he's afraid of me? Why does every pony fear me?

The entire rest of the walk up to the tower (Or would 'castle' be more appropriate?) was almost entirely silent, apart from the rhythmic clip-clopping of hooves that echoed throughout the square. When they finally came to the entrance. Void saw more of the- Well, these guys clearly are not thugs. So, guards? Guards at the entrance to the tower. And as they got closer, they opened the large double doors. And as she walked through, the ones holding the doors stood and sharply saluted her. Well, I guess I know how Celes- No, I will not think of her EVER again! As soon as she got inside, they closed the doors behind her. Wow, they weren't kidding. This place is WAY warmer than outside. And as she turned to look around, she realized just how beautiful the interior was. Its walls were made entirely of marble. And it was fully lit by lights similar to the lights she saw outside. The roof went all the way up to the second floor and-

"Oh, there you are, comrade Premier!" Shouted a feminine voice. Huh, I was starting to think that there were only stallions here. Not that it would be a problem, but it would be wired. She turned this way and that until she spotted her. She was on top of the stairs leading to the second floor. She was a small unicorn mare, who wore a black suit and tie, with a skirt, and carried a clipboard. "I heard you decided to go for a walk. You should know better!" She lightly scolded as she ran down the stairs. "Come, come, I'll take you to your room." And with that, she grabbed her hoof and led her to a magic room. That brought them all the way to the 52nd floor. Then, once it arrived, she led her through countless hallways until she came to a room that was separate from all the others. "Here we are." She pulled open the door and led her inside.

To say Void was shocked would be an understatement. The room had blue wallpaper, a carpeted floor, a wooden desk, a large mirror, various lamps, a large couch, and a massive bed. "Wow! This is all mine?"

"Indeed, it is. Although I would advise you rest. As you have a meeting with the central committee in two hours." As she turned to leave, she looked back one last time. "If there is anything you need, just ring the bell." Then she closed the door as she walked out.

Her body wanted to lie down, but she felt like she had some thinking to do. Okay, first, that guard ran from me. Then that other stallion accused me. And then that other guard was afraid of me. She decided to sit down on the couch. Of course, I couldn't be this Premier, right? I mean, I don't wear a suit, and I don't have a metal wing. So why is every pony treating me like I am her? Then, it dawned on her. You know what? I know EXACTLY how to deal with this! Then, with a flash of determination, she slowly approached the mirror. But, before she could see herself, she closed her eyes. Alright, on the count of three, I'll open my eyes. One. Two. THREE! But what she saw was NOT herself. It was the same pony that the statue was made to replicate. The only difference was her eyes. They shone bright crimson, and the story they told...it chilled her to the bone. Through them, she saw a blood-red banner raised over Canterlot, as the city burned, and as an enormous crowd sang and chanted as they burned, looted, and murdered. She tried to back up, only to hear a loud clang to her left, and heard something smash on the floor. She turned to see what had caused the crash, and when she saw it, her eyes shrank to pin-pricks. For, attached to her left side, was a steel wing.